AN: I have done some editing for this fic. So that is why I am reposting my prior chapters. To try to get the story for flow a little easier. Thank you for all that are still reading this fic.

Prologue:

It was night, quiet, and tranquil. Everything was slumbering soundly with the bright moon watching over the land. The palace shone in the cool light of the full moon. The white palace sat on a well tended clearing, silently watching over the territory around it. Not many were up at this late hour, except guards and night servants. Even the royal family, who called the palace home for centuries, were peacefully sleeping.

But there was a restless shadow moving about the palace, dodging those still awake. What purpose does this shadow have? Where is it bound?

The shadow made its way, silently and quickly, into the royal wing. It stalked the halls till it came to a particular set of doors. These doors were immense with a large canine carved deep into the wood. The trick now would be to get into this suite without making any noise. The slumbering ones he was looking for were behind these huge doors, but they had very sensitive hearing. So, staying silent was imperative. The shadow very slowly and carefully pushed one of the large doors opened, making sure to stay silent. Once inside and seeing no one stirring in the front room, the shadow slipped in and just as carefully, closed the door. The front room in the suite was done in varying shades of blue on everything from the rugs, to the walls. There was an open sitting area with a low table with sitting mats around it. The table was covered in a shiny black lacquer with beautiful mother of pearl inlays in the shape of a large canine standing under a waxing moon. There were white sheer curtains on the large, floor to ceiling windows.

The shadow navigated this room to the door set in the back wall. This led to a spacious bedroom. There was sufficient light coming in from another set of large, floor to ceiling windows. Up against the far wall, there was a large, platform bed covered in white silk. And on this bed were two sleeping figures. An inu male and female were curled together on the bed, seemingly oblivious to the shadow creeping towards them, the royal pair.

The shadow crept up to the bed and reached into its dark garb to retrieve a long, dark dagger. The shadow then began to creep towards to the inu king, but before he could get any closer, the inu queen turned over and opened her eyes. The shadow had no choice, it threw the dagger, blindly and ran for the open window. The shadow dove out into the night and ran for the forest.

There was a loud crash and a scream. Seconds later, there was silence. The guards came at a run into the royal suite, checking every possible corner. After checking the room, they turned to their king. The king, an inu youkai, was holding his shaken mate and trying to control his rage at the possible attempt on her life. He was trying to control his youkai nature and soothe her at the same time. If she hadn't been so shaken, he would have gone after the assassin himself. But his mate needed him more at the moment.

He turned to his guards and barked, "The bastard went out the south window. Send guards after him and if you catch him, bring him to me!"

"Yes, your majesty," with that the guards ran out of the room.

As they were leaving, two young, inu males came into the royal suite. They had heard the commotion and could smell the chaos left in its wake. The oldest, a stoic, quiet male, was a full blood and very powerful, with smooth, silver hair almost to his knees, a pair of magenta slashes on each cheek and a blue crescent moon on his forehead. The second inu male, the youngest, was a more emotional half breed, with silver pointed ears on the top of his head. He was the son of a human hime that was a close friend of the family. He, like his father and brother, also had silver hair, but down to his waist, without facial markings.

The king was able to calm his mate and told his sons what had happened. They were furious that someone would dare come into their home and attempt to harm a member of their family.

"We will join in the search for this assassin, father," the oldest said, quiet fury flashing in his eyes, after all the target appeared to be his own mother.

"Yeah, the bastard will pay," the younger added, he would not allow anyone to harm his family.

"No, Sesshomaru, I want you to help fortify the palace." Then turning to his youngest, "Inu Yasha, go and check on your mother. I do not want anyone else to be vulnerable to this assassin."

"Do you have any ideas who could be doing this or why?" the oldest asked, watching as his half brother left.

"No, Sesshomaru, I do not. We have enemies, but I do not know which one would have the gall to pull this off," the king, InuTashio signed wearily. "But, I intend to find out."

"May I suggest, your majesty," Jaken squeaked from behind Sesshomaru, "that you hire protection for the royal family?"

"What do you have in mind, Jaken?" InuTashio asked, curious.

"Well, I have heard of a village, in the mountains that is made of demon slayers, assassins and guards. It couldn't hurt to have all three here in case the fool who sent the assassin tries again."

InuTashio sat considering this for a moment and then glanced down at his mate. She was sitting up, a little calmer now. "What do you think, my love?"

"I have heard of this village. The tales I have heard are very favorable, if they are true. They are not all humans. They are a blended village," she answered, thoughtfully, trying to remember every little bit she had heard over the years.

"I have heard rumors myself, your majesty, but I will do more research and have it ready for you by morning," Jaken bowed very low, his little brown hat almost touched the floor.

"Very good, thank you, Jaken."

The little green imp, again, bowed to the royal pair, then bowed to Sesshomaru and left the royal chambers.

"What do you make of all this, Sesshomaru?" The queen asked, a bit calmer.

"It could be anyone, mother, we just have to find them and destroy them," he answered coldly.

"Well, let us try to get settled again and at dawn, we plan our next move," InuTashio said.

"Very well, father, mother," with that Sesshomaru left the royal suite and found his half brother walking back to his own suite. "How is your mother," he asked, stoic once again.

"She's scared, but fine," Inu Yasha answered. "I don't like this. Who would be stupid enough to try take Dad out? In his own palace!"

"I am not sure it was father they were after," Sesshomaru calmly stated, a calm that hid his anger over the night's events.

"Huh?"

Sighing, Sesshomaru shook his head, "Are you sure you are my father's son?"

"Hey!"

"I am saying, halfwit, I think they were after my mother," Sesshomaru gritted out, beginning to lose patience.

"Oh. Damn!" Inu Yasha exclaimed with an exhale. "Well, we have to think of something."

"Jaken mentioned a village of unique individuals that may be of some assistance."

"That sounds great. What do they do?" Inu Yasha asked, curious.

Sesshomaru began to inform his younger brother of what Jaken said and they began to plan how to protect their family and home.